Marine accident investigation: is there a common approach to communication as a contributing factor to maritime casualties?

Abstract

Learning from casualty investigations is a requisite to effect maritime safety and marine environment protection. Moreover, it helps improve training. Communication at sea is a broad concept, as it includes exchanges within the ship's bridge, among crew members, as well as between crew members and pilots, together with ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore conversations. Communication takes place in various contexts, from routine ship operations, such as pilotage, to emergency situations, such as Search and Rescue (SAR). Communication is a human capability that entails both technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills can be evaluated, but non-technical skills are more challenging for appraisal. In addition, ships operate in a highly dynamic environment which makes information retrieval far more difficult than for an operator seated in an office ashore. How do casualty investigators break down miscommunication as a contributor to maritime accidents? What do they look for? Do they evaluate deviations? Is there consistency among investigation bodies in this regard? This study aims to better understand how casualty investigation agencies identify, label and frame failures in communication, and whether there is a common approach to communication across casualty investigation agencies.